List of Famous people born in Japan

Kenji Kimihara is a retired Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in the marathon at the 1964, 1968 and 1972 Olympics and finished in eighth, second and fifth place, respectively. He won two gold medals in the marathon at the Asian Games in 1966 and 1970, and won the Boston Marathon in 1966.

Misugiiso Takuya is a former sumo wrestler from Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1971, and reached the top division in November 1977. His highest rank was maegashira 2. He was a member of Hanakago stable and served as sword-bearer to his stablemate Wajima during the yokozuna dohyo-iri. He retired in September 1986, and as of 2021 he is an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Minezaki. He was the head coach of Minezaki stable which he founded in 1988 until its closure in 2021. He speaks English due to his frequent trips to Hawaii. He is married with one son. After reaching 70 years of age in May 2021 he was re-employed for a further five years as a consultant.

Mitsuo Momota is a Japanese professional wrestler and executive, known for his work in the Japanese promotions All Japan Pro Wrestling and later in Pro Wrestling NOAH. He is the son of wrestler Rikidōzan.

Shohei Matsunaga is a former Japanese football player who played as an attacking midfielder. He was called Samurai Matsunaga by his fans because of his samurai-like playing spirit.

Takashi Miura is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 2003 to 2017. a former WBC Super featherweight Champion. He was born in the Akita Prefecture and lives in Tokyo.

Tomoya Koyamatsu is a Japanese footballer who plays for Sagan Tosu.

Noriyoshi Ōmichi is a Nippon Professional Baseball player for the Yomiuri Giants of Japan's Central League. Before playing for the Giants, he was a member of Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.

Kōsuke Itō is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays outfielder for the Chunichi Dragons.

Yuji Nagata is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).

Miki Nishimura is a Japanese female professional ten-pin bowler. She is a member of the Japan Professional Bowling Association, license no. 408.